The RSPB also wants people to check for blackbird, robin and song thrush chicks, which will help show how important gardens are for birds to breed in and whether the dry weather has had an impact on them.

The conservation charity is concerned about the effect the unusually dry spring has had on wildlife.

RSPB spokesman Richard Bashford said: "Since much of the UK missed out on the April showers and it has been mainly dry since, we want to highlight how important water is and how you can help birds and other wildlife thrive in such conditions."

To take part, people need to spend one hour during the week of June 4-12, counting the birds and the other wildlife that visit their garden and recording the highest number of each species seen at any one time.